Epilepsy Discrimination Lawsuit

The Epilepsy Foundation describes epilepsy as a medical condition which produces seizures affecting a variety of mental and physical functions, saying it is also called seizure disorder.  The prevalence and incidence of epilepsy is said to affect almost 3 million people in the United States, with about 200,000 new cases of seizure disorders and epilepsy being diagnosed each year, according to information provided by the Foundation.  See, http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org .  With respect to epilepsy and workplace discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (”EEOC”) announced in an August 19, 2009 Press Release at http://www.eeoc.gov/press/8-19-09.html that the St. Louis Rams, a National Football League franchise, have agreed to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit for $134,000.00 and important remedial relief.  According to the EEOC Press Release, attorneys with the federal agency brought the disability discrimination lawsuit on behalf of a long-term employee with a seizure disorder.  In this regard, EEOC attorneys charged in the lawsuit that the employee was an assistant trainer who had epilepsy during his entire 11 year tenure with the team before he was fired.  As stated in the Press Release, the EEOC alleged that he had successfully performed his job until team management, in June 2006, claimed he was a medical liability and posed a threat to his own safety and that of coworkers.  A St. Louis EEOC attorney quoted in the Press Release said “The St. Louis Rams, one of the most well-known and prestigious employers in our city, have a legal obligation under the ADA to provide a workplace free from disability discrimination.”  For further information about the EEOC, visit the federal agency’s website at www.eeoc.gov .